A year ago, Danny Amendola signed a five-year, $28.5 million contract ($10 million guaranteed) with the New England Patriots. Expected to mitigate the loss of Wes Welker through free agency to the Denver Broncos, Amendola was supposed to be Tom Brady’s go-to slot receiver.

It didn’t go that way, exactly. Injuries plagued Amendola’s career with the Rams and immediately slowed him in New England. In the season opener, he suffered a painful groin injury that caused him to miss four games.

According to the Globe, it would cost the Patriots $4.8 million against the salary cap to cut Amendola now, but if he is designated for a post-June 1 cut, that figure would be reduced to $1.2 million in 2014 and $3.6 million in 2015. According to Bleacher Report, Amendola’s name has indeed circulated in trade rumors.

New England may put more trust in Julian Edelman.

Amendola has never had a 1,000-yard receiving career, and that, in large part, is due to injuries, including a dislocated elbow, shoulder injuries and ankle injuries. Add to that last season’s severe groin pain. He caught 54 passes for 663 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Edelman ended his year with 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns.